Analysis of Therapy by Means of Gallium Aluminum Arsenide Laser During Orthodontic Tooth Movement: A Randomized, Split Mouth Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Indroduction: Preliminary evidence have shown that low intensity laser therapy is able to increase the rate of tooth movement. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of gallium aluminum arsenide (GaAlAs) laser therapy in the enhancement of speed of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in a clinical protocol. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six upper canines were analyzed on 18 enrolled patients. On all experimental canine, an orthodontic force of 40 g/side was applied by a nickel-titanium closed coil spring. Using a split mouth randomized design, the test side was treated using a diode laser operating at a wavelength of 780 nm in continuous wave mode with flattop handpiece (20 mW output power, dose of 5 J/cm2, and exposure time of 10 seconds) (test side) at baseline and at 7, 14, and 28 days and every 14 days until the space closure. On the control side, selected teeth were only tractionated. The primary outcome was the overall time needed to complete leveling and closing space, measured on study cast. The secondary outcome was the evaluation of pain levels related to tooth traction, evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: The test side showed a significant reduced overall time needed for tooth space closure (at 7 and 14 days) and less VAS score (P < 0.001) compared to control side. Conclusion: This study shows that the use of low-level laser therapy by means of GaAlAs laser was effective for accelerating tooth movement and reducing pain levels related to OTM.

Keywords

• diode laser
• pain
• photobiomodulation
• split mouth study
• tooth movement